Fish & Wildlife

Birds can be harmed by oil through physical contact, ingestion, inhalation and absorption. Oiled birds can lose the ability to fly, dive for food or float on the water, which could lead to drowning. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports on birds rescued and collected during the response to the BP oil spill.   To report oiled or injured wildlife, please call (866) 557-1401.

NOAA Fisheries Service continually updates its commercial and recreational fishing closure notices. Area boundaries could be modified daily, based on where and how fast the oil spill is moving. NOAA will provide daily updates online by 12:00 p.m. EDT. Any changes to the closed area will become effective at 6:00 p.m. EDT the same day.

Wildlife scientists find fewer sea turtles that require rehab, and turn to next phase: releasing rehabilitated turtles, continuing near shore efforts and to learning how these populations of endangered and threatened species have been affected by the oil spill.

After an oil spill, certain federal agencies - including NOAA and the Department of the Interior - are responsible for studying the effects of the spill through a process known as Natural Resource Damage Assessment. As part of this process, scientists work together to identify potential impacts to natural resources and lost public uses resulting from the spill. The agencies identify the extent of the impacts, the best methods for restoring the natural resources, and the type and amount of restoration required.

The Consolidated Fish and Wildlife Reports can be found in the Transcripts & Docs section.